Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of the Brazilian national team, said that everyone is encouraging Neymar to return to his best levels, due to the muscle injuries that prevented Brazil’s all-time leading scorer from participating with the national team.
Asked if he felt uncomfortable constantly asking questions about Neymar, Ancelotti told Belkar: “No, no problem. It is normal (for people to ask) because Neymar is a legend of Brazilian football.”
“Everyone wants Neymar to return to his best physical condition. The Brazilian Federation, the coach, the national team’s technical staff and the players hope that Neymar can return to his best levels.”
The former Real Madrid coach also insisted that Neymar must be in good physical condition to be selected.
“The truth is that football today requires many things,” he said. “Not only talent, but also physical condition and strength… I hope Neymar will be at his best.”
Neymar (33 years old) has not participated with Brazil since he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury while on international duty in October 2023.
He has since returned to his boyhood club Santos in January hoping to rediscover his form, but is fighting against time to play in a fourth World Cup in 2026.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star recently returned to the field after a 48-day absence due to a muscle injury. He was criticized after his angry reaction after being substituted in the 85th minute of his team’s 3-2 loss to Flamengo on Sunday.
Neymar left the field and questioned the decision of his coach, Juan Pablo Voevoda. Santos CEO Alexander Matos defended Neymar and posted a photo of the striker on social media along with a lengthy message praising the player’s qualities.
– Carlo Ancelotti is planning a new position for Vinicius with Brazil
– Angry Neymar leaves and Santos is threatened with relegation
– Santos is confident of agreeing on a new contract for Neymar
“Geniuses are misunderstood, it has always been like this in human history, they think ahead, they do things differently, they make a difference… They are insatiable for challenges, for changes, for goals that few can achieve,” Matos said.
“They leave a legacy, they make history…but they are also human beings, they get things right or wrong, they smile and cry, they have feelings, they have a heart, they breathe, they live and survive the blows of life.
“You are, you genius… Those who know you know you are human, the heart you have, the humility you have, your concern for everyone, the father and friend you are… They try to defeat you, they can’t, they try to bring you down, you rise up, everything is bigger than you, but you are bigger than everything.”
“You are admired and adored by me and by everyone who knows you, by the billions around the world who dream of being like you… You deserved it, you deserve it… Hard times make men stronger!!”
Neymar scored three goals in 15 league matches with Santos, which is fighting relegation in the Brazilian first division.
